This Year's Flu Vaccine Should Be More Effective

By
Alexander Gorney

May 25, 2017

If you were upset about contracting the flu after getting the shot last year, don’t worry—this year's vaccine will work better, according to the CDC. This year's vaccine includes the H3N2 strain, which was the predominant strain responsible for more people contracting the illness last year.

Typically, the vaccine can reduce the chances of getting the flu by as much as 60 percent, but last year it was only 13 percent effective. Even though this strain will be more potent, "millions of Americans will get the flu, hundreds of thousands will be hospitalized and thousands will die," said Dr. Tom Frieden, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Getting the vaccination is probably the best way to lower your chances of getting sick, and there will be an adequate supply of it around the country. The CDC also recommends washing your hands as often as possible and covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Carrying some hand sanitizer with you is also a great idea. What do you do to avoid the flu?